Applying Treatment Outcome Research in Clinical Practice: Techniques for Adapting Interventions to the Real World

Despite the growing literature on empirically supported therapies, these interventions are rarely used in clinical settings. Although researchers lament the poor transfer of techniques from controlled trials to clinics, little has been written to guide the adaptation of manualised treatments for real-life clinical practice. The goal of this paper is to provide suggestions for the clinical use of research-tested treatments, with specific examples from the treatment of child depressive disorders. Strategies for applying manuals flexibly, adapting treatments to address comorbidity, attending to individual differences, and overcoming training obstacles are highlighted.